Here are my top picks from the May 12 Vintages Release. You can also get all 69 of my Best Value Wines and Top Rated Wines for red, white, rose, sparkling and dessert wines that encompass many price points, styles and regions. I’ve also already posted my picks for May 12 Vintages Release.
You can also add my wine picks to your shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. You can also create a custom list just for this release that will be saved in your account. Print a text-only version of the reviews.
Call it your What to Buy Me for My Birthday List or Here are the Wines that Can Truly Express Your Gratitude List. You can start a new list next time to keep them separate.
Stock up for the weekend, then enjoy!
Natalie
2011 Alamos Torrontés, Salta, Argentina
Pretty and floral with very pleasant lime blossom aromas. Medium-bodied and ultra food-friendly. Pair with: Asian dishes, fresh seafood salad. Drink: 2012-2014. 81539 13.5% $13.95 Score: 87/100. Best Value White Wine
2010 Helfrich Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France
Gorgeous gewurz! Lovely lychee, rose petal and light spices on the nose. Perfect for a variety of dishes, from Asian to curries. Pair with: mildly spiced seafood dishes. Drink: 2012-2016. 169748 12.5% $18.95 Score: 91/100. Top Rated White Wine
2011 Geil Bechtheimer Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany
Lovely! Lime blossom and honeysuckle… So pretty. Medium-bodied with terrific acidity for food. Pair with: Thai green papaya salad and chicken skewers. Drink: 2012-2015. 994764 10% $14.95 Score: 88/100. Best Value White Wine
2011 Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Grassy and herbal with quivering lime vibrancy. Pure, fresh, no oak. Bring me a mega big salad! Pair with: steam mussels. Drink: 2012-2014. 919514 13.5% $17.95 Score: 90/100. Best Value White Wine
2009 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley, California
Glorious nuttiness and peach-pear mingle on the nose. Rich, long and complex. A chardonnay lover’s chardonnay. Pair with: grilled lobster tail, halibut with mango salsa, barbecued pork loin. Drink: 2012-2017. 608646 14.5% $49.95 Score: 92/100. Top Rated White Wine
2010 Stags’ Leap Winery Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California
A chardonnay that’s vibrant and alive! Great acidity yet lovely richness and complexity with green apple, baking spice and tree fruit aromas. Pair with: butter-brushed lobster tail, roast chicken with fresh herbs and goat cheese. Drink: 2012-2016. 655381 14.1% $34.95 Score: 91/100. Top Rated White Wine
2010 Kaiken Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina
A stunning quality and taste for this price point! Rich and full-bodied with lip-smacking delicious black fruit aromas and just enough toasty oak. Vibrant and alive. Pair with: grilled juicy steak, baked beef empanadas. Drink: 2012-2015. 143248 14.5% $14.95 Score: 89/100. Best Value Red Wine
2008 Graffigna Malbec , San Juan, Argentina
Smoky with dark fruit: perfect for barbecues! Lots of rich flavour here with a satisfying full-bodied texture. Fire up the grill and crack open a bottle! Pair with: grilled steak, hamburgers, prime rib, brisket. Drink: 2012-2015. 162149 14.5% $16.95 Score: 88/100. Best Value Red Wine
2009 Heartland Stickleback Red, South Australia, Australia
Incredible price for this quality. Loaded with big black fruit and lots of mouth-watering acidity. Great wine for big meals, especially those involving steak. Drink: 2012-2015. 116574 14.5% $14.95 Score: 89/100. Best Value Red Wine
2008 Shotfire Quartage, Barossa, Australia
Love this! Gorgeously rich and full-bodied with layers of voluptuous black fruit flavours. Velvet caress on the tongue. Top me up! Drink: 2012-2016. 24091 14.5% $22.95 Score: 92/100. Top Rated Red Wine
2008 Wolf Blass Shiraz Gold Label, Barossa, Australia
Classic Australian shiraz nose of dark, fleshy ripe blackberries, a hint of oak and a mouth-watering juiciness. Loaded with delicious dark fruit flavours, incredible depth, concentration and length. Benchmark shiraz. Drink: 2012-2016. 590273 15% $28.95 Score: 93/100. Top Rated Red Wine
2009 Arduini Ripasso Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy
Juicy and delicious with tremendous mouth-watering juiciness. Dark red fruit, smoke and earth. Perfect for many dishes. Pair with: short ribs, three-cheese lasagna. Drink: 2012-2015. 267898 14% $18.95 Score: 90/100. Best Value Red Wine
2010 Juan Gil Monastrell White Label, Jumilla, Spain
Deal of the Century! Full-bodied, juicy, savoury and delicious. Loaded with dark wild blackberries and forest-deep cherries and cedar. Oh yum. Pair with: mushroom and wild rice dishes, savoury meat stews. Drink: 2012-2015. 13656 14.5% $12.95 Score: 90/100. Best Value Red Wine
2009 Hartley Ostini Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, California
Big cherry-berry notes with a little mocha and oak. Juicy with a medium- to full-boided weight and ultra smooth texture. Pair with: teriyaki salmon. Drink: 2012-2016. 179812 14.2% $34.95 Score: 91/100. Top Rated Red Wine
2008 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five, Napa Valley, California
Full-bodied and dry with cassis and blackcurrant aromas. Elegant, balanced and refined with terrific length on the finish. Drink: 2012-2016. 45476 15.4% $84.95 Score: 92/100. Top Rated Red Wine
2010 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma County, California
Very complex with a great balance of acidity and fruit. Layers of delicious flavour and a long finish. One of the most elegant zinfandels I’ve ever tasted. Pair with: prime rib. Drink: 2012-2016. 942151 14.8% $29.95 Score: 93/100. Top Rated Red Wine
2011 Featherstone Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Lovely sipper with soft strawberry notes and flavours. Great aperitif or food companion. Pair with: barbecued prawns, steak frites. 117861 12% $14.95 Score: 87/100. Best Value Rosé
2011 Château La Tour De L’évêque Rosé, Côtes De Provence, France
So pretty! Aromas of tiny field strawberries and little white flowers. Run barefoot with your senses through this delightfully dry and refreshing rose. Pair with: homemade aioli with grilled shrimp, seared ahi tuna steaks. Drink: 2012-2014. 319392 13.5% $18.95 Score: 88/100. Best Value Rosé
2011 Château D’aquéria Rosé, Rhône, France
The rose I drink for personal pleasure and stock up every year. Bone-dry, complex with field berry notes and a long, dry finish. Pair with: crab cakes with aioli. Drink: 2012-2014. 712000 13.5% $10.45 Score: 93/100. Top Rated Rosé
Louis Bouillot Rosé, Burgundy, France
Superb value! Superb aromas of field raspberries and strawberries. An I can’t believe it price. Get it now if you have wedding and celebration this summer. Pair with: poached salmon, pastry based hors d’oeuvres. Drink: 2012-2014. 48793 12% $18.95 Score: 89/100. Best Value Sparkling Wine
Quinta Do Infantado Port Ruby, Douro, Portugal
Smokin! Especially for this price. Rich and layered with lots of pleasure. Dark berry jam and happiness. Drink: 2012-2018. 979898 19.5% $15.95 Score: 90/100. Best Value Dessert Wine
